Darin Downs vs. Rick Matula — Career Comparison

Rick Matula built a career as a starting pitcher and Darin Downs as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Rick Matula posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 4.41 and WHIP 1.521 compared to 4.76 and 1.401 for Darin Downs. By the career numbers, Rick Matula had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.